Variability of Seed Germination and Morphological Properties of Seedlings of Wild Cherry Populations from Republic of Srpska (BiH)
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Abstract
The paper shows the results of the research of: a) the vitality of the wild cherry seed (Prunus avium L.) b) the seed germination in nursery conditions c) the height growth of one year old seedlings and d) the root collar diameter. Tested seed and seedlings originated from six natural populations (Kalinovik, Višegrad, Milići, Ribnik, Prnjavor and Vlasenica) in Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina). The results of the study show that the vitality of the seed varied between 94% (Višegrad and Milići) and 96% (Ribnik, Prnjavor and Vlasenica). Seed germination in nursery conditions was low. The highest germination was noted for the Kalinovik population (9.71%), and the lowest for the Ribnik population (0.92%). The reason for low seed germination was probably conditioned by the way the pre-treatment was done. The results of the one-way ANOVA showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) among the studied wild cherry populations in terms of both height of the seedlings and the root collar diameter of the seedlings. In the following period, special attention should be paid to the seed germination in the second and third year after the establishment of the experiment because the double dormancy is characteristic of the wild cherry seed, and seed can overcome in the soil two to three years after sowing. As well, special attention should be paid on the monitoring of the height growth of seedlings and root collar diameter seedlings after taking the seedlings into the field.
Keywords: Prunus avium L., nursery trial, seed germination, seedling morphology